Chicago Bulls: 5 Reasons Fans Shouldn't Panic vs. the Atlanta Hawks

The Bulls were 62-20 in the regular season.  The fan base, local radio and national media are feeding the paranoia of dropping this series.  This Bulls group has not built up enough success for its fans to relax in a two-to-two series against an inferior team.

Allow me to present five reasons that will hopefully ease the minds of Bulls fans who are already looking at free agent and rookie two-guards for next year.

5. Home-Court Advantage

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 04: A member of the Chicago Bulls dance team 'The Luvabulls,' performs during a time-out between the Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 4, 201

The Bulls are at home two of the three possible games remaining in the series.  The Bulls are 36-5 at home this year.  Atlanta is 20-21 on the road.

In the postseason, the Bulls have only dropped one home game.  Granted, it was to Atlanta in Game 1, but the Bulls haven't lost two of three, or two of four at the United Center all year. 

The Bulls haven't lost two home games in a month since December.  This was the only time all year that happened.

History would say, it won't happen over the next five or six days.

4. Atlanta Hawks Inconsistency

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 08: A Atlanta Hawks fan dressed in a matador outfit cheers against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 8, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User ex

The last time the Hawks won more than one road game in a six-game span was in February.  The Hawks need 100 points to win a game in the series vs. the Bulls. 

They depend so much on the outside shooting of Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford; that makes attaining this very difficult.  When they are not making their shots, the Hawks struggle to score.

3. Tom Thibodeau's Defensive Adjustments

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls reacts to a play against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expr

The field goal percentage allowed for the Bulls defense after their previous two losses this postseason, 39-percent and 34-percent.  Thibodeau will make adjustments, his team buys in to his strategy and always responds.  I wouldn't expect any different in Game 5.

2. Bulls Respond After Losses

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls walks on the court during introductions before facing the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Ge

The Bulls have only lost consecutive games four times this year and not since February.  Expect the defensive intensity to be at a high level. 

The Hawks have only won games in this series that they've shot over 50-percent from the field.  It is a lot to ask to continuously get that type of shooting against a great defensive team.

1. The MVP

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 08: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls waits during a free throw by the Atlanta Hawks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 8, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User

Great players have the ability to will their team to win.  Atlanta has a nice player in Joe Johnson, but he is not Derrick Rose.  

Expect Rose to be huge.

It may not come from great outside shooting, but great players find a way, especially against inferior teams.  The Bulls will win this series.